Luke
12:35-48
Lesson 135
12:35-48
Lesson 135
In this lesson:
Lesson 134 continues.
Watch and be ready.
Lesson 134 continues.
Watch and be ready.
Study Tip:
Remember to read the Margin Notes in blue.
Remember to read the Margin Notes in blue.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
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Luke 12:35-48
When will He return 35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. |
Margin notes:
"Let your loins be girded." (12:35) - Jesus is referring to a common practice in biblical times. Men preparing for battle or performing physical labor would lift the hem of their robes and tuck it into their belts. This was called girding and allowed for greater freedom of movement. The underlying message is about being prepared - ready to fight and work for and ultimately meet Jesus (see also Exodus 12:11; Proverbs 31:17; Acts 12:8; 1 Peter 1:13). "Watching." (12:37) - Again, be ready to meet Jesus. "He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." (12:37) - "Jesus will gird Himself and have them sit down to eat, and He will come and serve them." "Second watch." (12:38) - From 10 PM to 2 AM. "Third watch." (12:38) - From 2 AM to sunrise. "The goodman of the house." (12:39) - "The owner of the house." "Not have suffered his house to be broken through." (12:39) - "Not have allowed his house to be broken into." "The Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (12:40) - "The Messiah will come at a time you least expect." The Bible repeatedly tells us that no one knows when Jesus will return, but we should be prepared (Matthew 24:36; 24:42-44; Luke 21:33-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3;16:15. "Steward." (12:42) - A minister or religious leader. "To give them their portion of meat in due season." (12:42) - "To give them their food at the right time." "Blessed is that servant." (12:43) - The devoted servant represents the faithful follower of Christ. "Will come in a day when he looketh not for him." (12:46) - "Will come on a day when he does not expect him." "Cut him in sunder." (12:46) - Means, "cut him to pieces." This represents the harshness of the final judgment. "Appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." (12:46) - "Assign him a place with the unfaithful." "Beaten with many stripes." (12:47) - "Beaten with many blows" (Numbers 15:27-30; Deuteronomy 25:2). "But he that knew not... shall be beaten with few stripes." (12:48) - Do verses 12:47 and 48 suggest there will be different levels of punishment in hell? |
Jesus reinforces His message on watchfulness in Matthew 25:1-13 (lesson 51) and in Mark 13:33-37 (lesson 92).
New Living Translation
Luke 12:35-48
Be Ready for the Lord's Coming
35 "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,
36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.
40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
41 Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?"
42 And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.
43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
45 But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47 "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Be Ready for the Lord's Coming
35 "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,
36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.
37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.
40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
41 Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?"
42 And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.
43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
45 But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47 "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.
48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Today's question:
1. What is the lesson in this segment?
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
1. What is the lesson in this segment?
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The lesson in this passage is to prepare for Jesus' return. Christ told us that He would return (John 14:1-3) when least expected (Matthew 24:1-36), so always be ready. According to Luke, we prepare ourselves by studying the Bible, by not being hypocritical (12:1), fearful (12:4-9), anxious (12:25-26), greedy (12:34), or lazy in serving God (2:37). Jesus promised those who remain faithful and work for His glory an eternal reward (12:48).
Application thought for the day:
Verses 12:41-48 tell us to use our talents and position to serve God. Because we all have different skills, we have different responsibilities. Are you using your talents to serve God?
1. The lesson in this passage is to prepare for Jesus' return. Christ told us that He would return (John 14:1-3) when least expected (Matthew 24:1-36), so always be ready. According to Luke, we prepare ourselves by studying the Bible, by not being hypocritical (12:1), fearful (12:4-9), anxious (12:25-26), greedy (12:34), or lazy in serving God (2:37). Jesus promised those who remain faithful and work for His glory an eternal reward (12:48).
Application thought for the day:
Verses 12:41-48 tell us to use our talents and position to serve God. Because we all have different skills, we have different responsibilities. Are you using your talents to serve God?
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke